RIYADH, 1 October — On behalf of Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, Riyadh Governor Prince Salman yesterday opened the 48th session of the World Health Organization’s regional committee for the Middle East.
Earlier, the crown prince met with Dr. Jero Harlem Bruntland, director-general of the organization, Dr. Hussein Al-Jazaeri, regional director for the Middle East, and heads of foreign delegations taking part in the meeting at Al-Yamama Palace.
Prince Abdullah welcomed all delegates and wished them success in carrying out the activities of the current meeting. Crown Prince Abdullah lauded the efforts of the WHO to maintain health standards and fight disease all over the world.
Addressing the meeting, Prince Salman warned that “disease respects neither countries nor boundaries.”
The Kingdom particularly cares about the health of the environment, of those who are exposed to health hazards, the disabled and the aged, the prince said.
He highlighted the fundamentally important topics, such as the exploitation of technological progress in the health sector.
The opening session was attended by Health Minister Dr. Osama Shubokshi and his counterparts from other Middle Eastern countries.
Kuwaiti Health Minister Dr. Muhammad ibn Ahmad Al-Jarallah, chairman of the last session, highlighted the WHO’s humanitarian activities, especially in the service of the Palestinians.
He said the present global situation should not affect humanitarian and health services.
Speaking in the meeting, Dr. Shubokshi declared that the Kingdom, the 12th country to endorse the constitution of the WHO soon after its founding in 1949, will continue its pioneering role in the organization “giving assistance to countries and regions suffering under calamities.” (SPA)
